a quantitative technique for sampling motile macroinvertebrates in beds of the seagrass posidonia oceanica (l.) delile
;Joseph A. Borg;Martin J. Attrill;Ashley A. Rowden;Patrick J. Schembri;Malcolm B. Jones
Nutrients2002Vol. 66pp. 53-58
250
borg2002scientiaa
Abstract
Techniques for sampling motile macroinvertebrates associated with Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows have mainly involved the use of hand-nets and suction samplers or collection by hand. These techniques give unreliable quantitative estimates or have practical difficulties. A large cylindrical saw-rimmed corer was designed and used successfully to obtain quantitative samples of macroinvertebrates from both foliage and root-rhizome matrix of a Posidonia oceanica meadow in Malta (central Mediterranean). Choice of the appropriate sample unit size was assessed by comparing the relative accuracy, precision and efficiency of three different core diameters: 25 cm, 35 cm and 45 cm. The results suggest that for comparison of macrofaunal species richness and abundance between different meadows/sites the 25 cm diameter corer is recommended. For surveys aimed at estimating total diversity within a particular site, the 35 cm diameter corer is more appropriate.